Aintree rings the changes to gain National trust

Three fences to have their specifications altered

The landing side of Becher&#8217;s Brook is to be re-profiled, reducing the drop

ALEX LIVESEY/GETTY IMAGES

Alan Lee

Monday August 15 2011, 6.38pm, The Times

No two words in the often opaque vocabulary of racing are more instantly emotive than “Grand National” and those who instinctively rail against the race are unlikely to be converted by the sensitive but cosmetic course modifications announced in London yesterday.

Three fences will have their specifications altered, after analysis of the past 12 years showed that 53 per cent of falls occur in the first 20 per cent of the race. The landing-side drop will be reduced at the first and Becher’s Brook, and the height of the fourth will be cut by two inches.

The average spectator will be oblivious, especially as certain alternative actions have been rejected after extensive consultation. Contrary to an erroneous report in the trade press, there will be